Microscopical imaging of hydroxyapatite/mica composite and packed hydroxyapatite structure--an atomic force microscopy investigation.

ABSTRACT

A fine grained hydroxyapatite/mica composite material was studied by the atomic force microscopy method and the results were compared with results of atomic force microscopy studies of very five grained hydroxyapatite. In the investigation it was found that the fractal dimension diagram from the atomic force microscopy studies is a tool by which mechanical properties on the surface of the material can be predicted. The two investigated materials were found to show self-similarity properties, i.e., they are identical on the surface. The information given by the fractal dimension is important, and the fractal dimension analysis is an important tool in future designing and engineering of, especially, bioceramics and composites.